Saturday, December 10, 2011

Decorations

Last weekend, we began decorating for Christmas.  We got a tree on Saturday (we're a fresh tree-only family - no plastic trees!)  Digging out the decorations and going through the ornaments has brought a lot of old feelings back to the surface.  One year ago this month, Scarlett's tumor was discovered (click here to read the story from the beginning).  We had been preparing for her first Christmas, making plans to see Santa, make cookies and visit friends, when we were hit with the most horrifying news of our lives.  After a week in the hospital and a biopsy confirming a malignant (cancerous) tumor, we were sent home on December 23, 2010 with the instruction to wait for a call from hospice after the holiday, and the distinct impression that there was nothing else to be done.  It set a dark cloud over our holiday festivities, to say the least.

Christmas 2010

Luckily, we now know that those doctors didn't get the last say, and we have our beautiful, wonderful little girl to celebrate her second Christmas.  Now, as I hang the embroidered stockings we had made last year, the ornaments we rushed out to buy at the last minute so they would be on the tree for Christmas Day, and I see the haphazardly-packed trimmings, thrown into boxes as we cleared them away before surgery, I can't help but remember how different last year was.  Last week, when we saw Scarlett's NP in clinic, we were discussing the plan for December, and I just broke down at the thought of it all.  It has been such an overwhelming experience (that is nowhere near an end) and the magnitude of it is not always in our immediate thoughts, and every once in a while something will trigger a memory of how close we came to disaster.

To help distract us from the sometimes-upsetting feelings, we are keeping busy.  Last week, we got to go to the Dickens Christmas Faire thanks to our lovely friend Grace.  We have two birthday parties, a graduation party and a Santa visit this weekend, plus we're making time to see Christmas in the Park, as many lighted houses as we can find and maybe even some caroling.  I have cookies to bake for an exchange party, doctor/NP/therapist gifts to prepare, shopping and wrapping on top of the regular 5-a-week appointments.  Oh, and my car needs a SMOG test.  If that doesn't keep us distracted enough, we can always do this:

10 comments:

Amy Lauren said...

She is so cute. Im glad she is doing well. I hope you guys have an awesome december !!

crystal said...

Still praying for her. God has brought her so far. She is beautiful!!!

Christine said...

Amazing! How wonderful for you to be able to enjoy the season with your beautiful little girl. She has come so far and I, as I'm sure others do, feel as though I am right there with you! Totally cried during your peekaboo video :o)

Robin said...

She is so precious! I have been reading your blog since we heard the horrible news last Christmas. Morgan's doll she got for Christmas last year was named Scarlett after your precious girl. I am so happy she is doing well. Praying for you and Scarlett always!

Sadie said...

Brandi,

If you want to see some great houses and are willing to make the drive. Check out Thompson Avenue in Alameda. This time of year it is known as Christmas Tree Lane and it is quite beautiful. We took our little one this weekend and she loved it. I would recommend parking on a side street and walking it so Scarlett can really enjoy herself.

jeanette burkholder said...

That was so fun to watch thank you for sharing! I love her hair by the way. It is growing in nicely!

Julee said...

Still praying for you, too! "Just keep swimming". You are doing GREAT!!!

Anonymous said...

I can't get enough of this video. Scarlett's little giggle is so sweet and cute. And her second Christmas-so amazing! What a long, hard road to look back on. Hope you guys have very happy holidays.

Crazed in the Kitchen said...

I remember hearing your story on Babycenter last year...It's so wonderful that this Christmas is so different from the last. As I've said before, you guys are inspirations as parents. Thanks for continuing to share Scarlett's story with us!

Molly, Los Angeles

sredmon81 said...

OMG look at all her hair?!! wow she looks great!